University of California Merced Men's Water Polo

Merced native Hannah Ellett has been named the next head men’s water polo coach at UC Merced, as announced by Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation David Dunham on August 4, 2025. Ellett was an assistant coach for the Bobcats men’s and women’s water polo teams this past year and has served as the interim head coach since May 1, 2025. “We are excited to have Hannah lead our men’s water polo program,” said Dunham. “She brings a diverse coaching background from collegiate and high school to USA Water Polo ODP.  We are excited to have her continue to build our program.” This past season, Ellett was on staff for UC Merced’s historic win over NCAA Division One foe LIU. The victory was UC Merced’s first win over a NCAA Division One opponent all-time across all sports. Ellett also coached ACWPC Honorable Mention All-American Camden Peterson and had six of her student-athletes earn ACWPC All-Academic honors. “I am incredibly grateful to Dave Dunham, Payton Williams, and Nancye Rahn for the opportunity to lead the men’s water polo program here at UC Merced,” said Ellett. “Having spent the last year with both programs, I look forward to continuing to develop a culture of academic and athletic excellence. As a Merced native, I feel exceptionally lucky to have this opportunity to work within my own community and contribute to the development of water polo in the Central Valley.” Before coming to UC Merced, Ellett spent two seasons as an assistant men’s and women’s water polo coach at Connecticut College. While coaching the Camels, the women’s water polo team made back-to-back appearances in the CWPA Division III Championships. Ellett first got into college coaching in 2022 as an assistant at McKendree. Prior to college coaching, Ellett spent two seasons at El Capitan High School as the head varsity aquatics coach. During her time with the Gauchos, the school won back-to-back Central California Conference (CCC) Championships and advanced to the semifinal round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Playoffs. She first got into coaching in 2013 coaching both girls and boys 14U, 16U, and 18U youth club teams in Merced County, including the 16U boys team for Central Valley United during their inaugural summer season in 2022. Ellett has also coached in both the Central and Northeast Zones for the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program. In addition to her coaching experience, Ellett also taught English at El Capitan and Buhach Colony High School. Ellett earned a bachelor of arts in English from Whittier College in 2017 and received her master’s degree in English literature from Chico State University in 2019.

Marko Ilic joined the UC Merced men’s water polo staff as an assistant coach in August 2025. Ilic transitions into college coaching after finishing his collegiate playing career at UC Santa Barbara in 2024. Prior to UC Santa Barbara, he played for successful water polo clubs Zemun & Sabac in Serbia and was on the Serbia Junior National Team from 2016-2023. He graduated from University of Belgrade with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and sport. Ilic then earned his professional certificate in business leadership and completed the international diploma program in business administration – fundamentals at UC Santa Barbara. Ilic has coaching experience with UCSB women’s water polo and the Channel Islands United Water Polo Club. Ilic has also coached in various camps.